By far the most popular and widely distributed species of Caulerpa available for use in the aquarium. This species features dark green, slender, oval shaped blades attached to a single rhizome. It often has new growth that appears on old blades which is true to its name. Depending on the environment provided, it can grow very wide blades (up to 1″) in turbulent areas and grows tall and thin in shallow, calm habitats. Individual blades are often spiral shaped when collected from shallow waters, especially when found in sea grass beds. Not very palatable to fish, but will be nipped at by some herbivores. It prefers to grow on sandy substrate, and once established, will quickly grow over the front of an aquarium.
Scientific Name: Caulerpa prolifera
Common Name: Sea Blade Algae
Origin: Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic, Caribbean
Depth Collected: 4 – 30 Feet
Maximum Height : 6″
Growth Rate: Fast
Light: Moderate
Temperature: 76-86
Propagation: Fragmentation, sporulation
Difficulty: Easy
Food Value: Somewhat palatable
Nutrient Uptake: Excellent
Flow Rate: Low to Moderate